How to cope with rugby big hits

Jonny Noble

Jul 29, 2011

Big tackles are part of the attraction when it comes to rugby, and as the sport’s popularity around the world continues to grow, so too does the amount of rugby players sitting on the sidelines injured as a result of a big hit. What then is the best way to cope with rugby big hits?

Coping with big rugby tackles

Whether its rugby league games or rugby union games, rugby tackles will cause injury, unfortunately it’s inevitable in such as high contact sport. The most common types of injury in rugby are limb injuries, shoulder injuries and back injuries.
If you’re not a seasoned professional like Josh Lewsey, Mat Rogers or Brian O’Driscoll, who can sidestep and weave out of tackles, then there are other ways to decrease the risk of injury such as:
Physical preparation
This is crucial in avoiding injury in any sport. If your body is in good physical condition, injury is less likely to occur and recovery time from any injury you do suffer will be quicker. When it comes to rugby, certain areas of the body like the neck, back, calves and forearms are more prone to injury, so extra strengthening of these areas is fundamental.
Wear protective gear
Proper footwear, ankle taping, mouth guards, padding and helmets are all items that everybody should seriously consider before taking part in any rugby game. Mouth guards in particular are something that are compulsory in the modern game and helmets are also becoming common in all forms of rugby to avoid serious head injuries.
Learn the rules
Before taking part in any form of rugby it is essential that you understand the rules, particularly rulings on tacking and scrums in order to avoid injury and just as importantly, to avoid injuring others.
Practical preparation
Make sure first aid personnel, first aid kits, ice packs and stretchers are available at any competitive game of rugby as responding promptly is vital in the battle against serious rugby injuries.
For visual aids on how to cope with rugby big hits, there are thousands of rugby video and rugby highlights available on the Internet.

Rugby World Cup 2011

With the international rugby world cup 2011 due to get underway in New Zealand in September, rugby will be in the spotlight over the next few months; this is a perfect opportunity to see how professionals cope with crunching tackles and scrums, and avoid injury.
As stated earlier, some injuries are unavoidable in sport but if everyone knows the rules, prepares correctly and wears the right protective gear, then all forms of rugby can continue to be a safe, competitive and enjoyable pastime for millions of people all over the world.

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